People want their homes to smell good. The right fragrance, like that from the best smelling incense sticks, makes a house feel more welcoming and reflects the personality of the people who live there.
Reed diffusers are a popular way to add fragrance to a room without using flames or plugins. They’re a safe, convenient alternative to candles that provide a continuous, subtle scent.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about how to use a diffuser oil with sticks to create a pleasant atmosphere in your home.
What is a reed diffuser?
Reed diffusers are a simple, elegant way to fragrance a room without the need for electricity or flames. They’re perfect for adding a constant, subtle scent to any space.
What’s in a reed diffuser?
- Diffuser Oil: This is the scented liquid that gets diffused into the air. It can be made with essential oils, fragrance oils, or a combination of both.
- Reeds (Sticks): These porous sticks soak up the oil and release the scent. They’re usually made of rattan.
- Container: This holds the diffuser oil and the reeds. It can be made of glass, ceramic, or other materials.
How do reed diffusers work?
Reed diffusers work through two main processes:
- Capillary action: The reeds act like tiny straws, drawing the oil upwards through their porous structure.
- Evaporation: The oil evaporates from the reeds, releasing the scent into the air. How much airflow there is in the room will affect how quickly the oil evaporates and how strong the scent is.
How to set up your stick diffuser
Here’s how to get your reed diffuser going, step by step:
- Choose a good location. Think about the size of the room, how the air flows through it, and whether the spot is near a heat source. Don’t put the diffuser in direct sunlight or near a vent. You can tuck it away somewhere or make it a focal point.
- Prep the oil. Carefully uncap the bottle and set the cork aside. If you’re using a refill, make sure it’s compatible with your diffuser.
- Insert the reeds. Place 4-8 reeds into the bottle. If you want a subtle scent, start with fewer reeds. Add more if you want a stronger fragrance.
- Saturate the reeds. After about 10 minutes, flip the reeds over so the other ends get saturated. This gets the diffusion process started.
How to get the best scent and make it last
With just a few tweaks, you can get the exact amount of scent you’re looking for and make sure your diffuser lasts as long as possible.
Adjusting how strong the scent is
The more reeds you use, the stronger the scent will be. Experiment with different numbers of reeds to see what you like best.
Flipping the reeds distributes more scent into the air, so flip them every few days if you want a stronger fragrance.
Taking care of your diffuser
Keep an eye on the oil level and refill the diffuser when it gets low. You don’t want the reeds to dry out completely, or they may not work as well.
Replace the reeds every 1 to 3 months to get the most out of your diffuser. Over time, the reeds can get clogged, which keeps them from spreading the scent as well.
Where you put your diffuser matters
Put your diffuser somewhere that has a little bit of airflow. This will help the scent spread through the room. Don’t put it somewhere drafty, or the oil will evaporate too quickly.
Make sure your diffuser is the right size for the room. A small diffuser might not be strong enough to scent a large room.
Choosing the right diffuser oil and reeds
To get the most out of your reed diffuser, you need to choose quality diffuser oils and reeds.
Diffuser oil types
Diffuser oils are typically either essential oils or fragrance oils. Essential oils are natural oils that come from plants and can be used in many forms, like the aromatherapy eucalyptus lotion. They offer therapeutic benefits along with a pleasant smell.
Fragrance oils are synthetic oils that mimic natural scents. They’re usually cheaper than essential oils, and they tend to last longer.
When you’re shopping for diffuser oils, look for oils that are VOC-free, vegan, natural, allergen-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free.
Reed material and quality
Most reed diffusers use rattan reeds. Rattan reeds are porous, so they’re good at wicking the diffuser oil up the reed.
Some diffusers use synthetic reeds, which are often designed for certain types of oils. If your diffuser uses synthetic reeds, make sure they’re compatible with the diffuser oil you’re using.
Safety first
Diffuser oils can add a lovely scent to your home, but it’s important to use them safely.
- Keep diffuser oils and reeds far away from kids and pets. If swallowed, diffuser oil can be harmful.
- Avoid getting diffuser oil on your skin or in your eyes. If this happens, wash it off right away.
- Place your diffuser on a stable surface where it won’t be knocked over. The oil can damage furniture and fabrics.
- Keep your diffuser away from open flames and heat sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sticks of oil do you put in a diffuser?
The number of diffuser sticks to use depends on the size of the room, the strength of the fragrance you desire, and the type of diffuser oil. A good starting point is 4-6 reeds for a small to medium-sized room. You can always add more reeds to increase the scent throw. Remember, more reeds equal a stronger scent, but also a faster depletion of the oil.
How long do you soak diffuser sticks?
Diffuser sticks don’t necessarily need to be “soaked.” When you first insert the reeds into the diffuser oil, allow them to sit for a few hours, or ideally overnight. This allows the oil to gradually wick up the reeds. After this initial period, flip the reeds to saturate the other ends. You’ll notice the fragrance begin to diffuse into the room within a day or so. Re-flipping the reeds periodically (every week or two) will help refresh the scent.
Do you use all diffuser sticks at once?
No, you don’t have to use all the diffuser sticks at once! It’s best to start with a smaller number of reeds and add more as needed to achieve your desired fragrance intensity. Using fewer reeds will also help the diffuser oil last longer. Experiment with the number of sticks until you find the perfect balance for your space.
Summary
Reed diffusers are easy to use and give you long-lasting fragrance without needing a flame. Similar to creating a DIY shower mist, you can play around with different oils and reed combinations to find your favorite scent.
Just be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets, and place them on a surface that can handle any accidental spills.